Packaging machine using two-blank carton system

ABSTRACT

A packaging machine operative to sequentially fold separate cooperating carton blanks about lading and discharge a sealed package containing the lading in a automatic operation. The packaging machine is particularly adapted to cooperate with a lading loading ram which could be provided by a conventional case packer having a discharge horn through which the ram moves a quantity of lading. The carton blank system includes a body blank having a center panel and alternate side panels with flanges hingedly connected along the longitudinal edges of the panels and along the ends of the side panels and a cover blank having a center panel and alternate side panels. The machine includes means for positioning the body blank in a generally vertical plane opposite the loading ram, means for folding the flanges and the panels about the lading in cooperation with said loading ram to form a generally U-shaped formation, means for holding the said formation in place, means for moving the formation to an end flange folding station and thereafter to a discharge station, means for positioning a cover blank opposite the outlet of the discharge station, means for moving the formation against the cover blank, means for folding the cover blank about the formation, and means for securing the inner facing margin of the cover blank to the outer facing surfaces of the folded flanges of the body blank to form a sealed package or carton. Formation and sealing of the package is achieved along a horizontal path of movement.

[451 July 29, 1975 separate cooperating carton blanks about lading anddischarge a sealed package containing the lading in a automaticoperation. The packaging machine is particularly adapted to cooperatewith a lading loading ram which could be provided by a conventional casepacker having a discharge horn through which the ram moves a quantity oflading. The carton blank system 111. includes a body blank having acenter panel and alternate side panels with flanges hingedly connectedalong June 1974 the longitudinal edges of the panels and along the endsApplv No.: 480,160 of the side panels and a cover blank having a centerpanel and alternate side panels. The machine includes means forpositioning the body blank in a generally vertical plane opposite theloading ram, means for folding the flanges and the panels about thelading in cooperation with said loading ram to form a generally u 53/32;53/185; 53/207 U:shape d firmation, mteans for holding the said for-B65b 11/18 matign in pfalcde, means or movng t e ormatnon to an 53/32207, 208 [85 end ange 0 mg station and t ereafter to a dischargestation, means for positioning a cover blank opposite the outlet of thedischarge station, means for moving the formation against the coverblank, means for folding the cover blank about the formation, and means53/ for securing the inner facing margin of the cover blank 53/32 to theouter facing surfaces of the folded flanges of the body blank to form asealed package or carton. Formation and sealing of the package isachieved along a horizontal path of movement.

23 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures United States Patent Vickers et al.

1 1 PACKAGING MACHINE USING TWO-BLANK CARTON SYSTEM [75] Inventors:James L. Vickers, Harbert, Mich.; Edmund A. Waycie, River Forest, 111.

[73] Assignee: Stone Container Corporation,

Chicago,

122 Filed:

Related U.S. Application Data [631 Continuation-in-part of Scr. Nos.285,211, Aug. 31, 1972, Pat. No. 3,817,018, and Scr. Nov 446,124, Feb.27, 1974, Pat. No. 3.872.650.

152] U.S. 1...... [51] Int. [58] Field of Search [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,315,435 4/1967 Gunyou 3585.776 6/1971 PrimaryExaminer-'1ravis S. McGehee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Silverman & Cass,Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT A packaging machine operative to sequentially fold w 4 V a,0 a 4% 9 t i a /i V a L SVBSRSO];

PATENTED JUL 2 9!?175 SHEET PATENTED JUL 2 9 \975 MACHINE USINGTWO-BLANK CARTON SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of the earlier copendingapplications of James L. Vickers, namely, application Ser. No. 285,2llfiled Aug. 31, 1972, now U.S. PatpNo'. 3,-8l7 ,()l8, and applicationSer. No. 446,124 filed Feb. 27, 1974. now US. Pat. No. 3,872,650. Thepresent application and the prior applications refer'redto above areowned by the same assignee.

BACKGROUND or THE lNVENTlON PACKAGING Ser. No. 446,124 referred toabove. According to the prior method, the flanged blank is positioned ata first station of a machine and the lading is positioned adjacent thecenter panel thereof. Then the flanged blank is folded into'aU-slia'pe'd formation partially surrounding the la'ding. Thelongitudinal flanges are folded inwardly generally perpendicular to theassociated panels and the end flanges are then folded to apositiongenerally perpendicular to'the associated side panels. Next, anunflanged blank is'positioned adjacent the folded blankand lading withthe centerpanelof the unflanged blank adjacent thefolded end flanges ofthe folded blank. Then the unflanged blank folded into a generallyU-shape around the exposed lading with the margin of the unflanged'blankenaging the flanges of the folded flanged blank so that the entirelading is enclosed between the' folded blanks. The flanges of the foldedblanks are adhesively secured to the margin of the unflanged blankforsealing the package with the lading enclosed. 1

In prior application, Serial Number 446,124 referred to above, there isdisclosed a machine for forming the sealed package according to themethod described above. The machine includes a setup station where a Iquantity of lading is positioned on and supported by the center panel'ofa body blank having flanges along the edges thereof. The'machine furtherincludes a first mechanism for folding the body blank into a generallyU-shaped formation partially surrounding the lading as the lading andbody blank are moved downwardly and such that the center panel formsZanend wall and the side panels form two side walls of a partially formedcarton, a second mechanism for folding the flanges along eachlongitudinal edge ofthe blank to a position generally perpendicular tothe associated side walls and end wall as thebod'y blank and lading aremoved down- .wardly, a third mechanism for folding end flanges to aposition generallyperpendicular to the associated side walls as theformation ismov'ed laterally from a holding station, a fourth mechanismfor positioning an unflanged cover-blank above an assembly station towhich the formation comprising the folded body blank and lading has beenmoved and in a position where the center panel of the cover blankoverlies the end flanges of the folded body blank, a fifth mechanism forfolding the cover blank into a generally U-shaped formation surroundingthe lading exposed in the first formation while and as. the firstformation is being moved upwardly and such that the margin of the coverblank overlies the flanges of the body blank, and a sixth mechanism forsecuring the flanges of the body blank to the margin of the cover blankto form a sealed package or carton with lading enclosed therein.

The machine embodying the herein invention differs from the machinedisclosed in application, Serial Number 446,124, in that it utilizesdifferent mechanisms arranged in a different manner for folding a bodyblank and cover blank about lading. Additionally, the folding operationin the present machine is entirely along a horizontal path of movementwith attendent advantages over the prior machines referred to which willbe discussed hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided amachine for forming a sealed package containing lading from a generallyrectangular body blank of paperboard material and a generallyrectangular cover blank of paperboard material. The body blank includeda center panel, alternate, hingedly connected side panels and flangeshingedly connected along the longitudinal edges of the center and sidepanels and along the ends of the side panels. The cover blank included acenter panel and alternate hingedly connected side panels. Said machineincludes first means for positioning the body blank in a generallyvertical plane adjacent the outlet of a lading moving station from whicha quantity of lading is moving horizontally in one direction, conveyingmeans positioned for horizontal movement in a direction laterally ofsaid one direction, said conveying means including a receiving stationadjacent said lading moving sation and a discharge station spaceddownstream from said receiving station, second means at said receivingstation for folding the body blank into a generally U-shaped formationpartially surrounding a quantity of lading with the center panel formingan end wall and the side panels forming two side walls of the formationas the quantity of lading is moved from the lading moving station,engages the body blank and moves onto said conveying means, third meansat said receiving sation for folding the flanges along each Iongitudinaledge of the body blank to positions generally perpendicular to theassociated side walls and end wall during movement of the lading againstthe body blank and onto said conveying means, fourth means for foldingthe end flanges to a position generally perpendicular to the associatedside walls, said conveying means being operative to move the folded bodyblank and Iading to said discharge station, fifth means for positioningthe cover blank in a generally vertical plane adjacent said dischargestation, sixth means at said discharge station for moving the foldedbody blank and lading laterally off of said conveying means and againstthe cover blank, seventh means at said discharge station for folding thecover blank into a U-shaped formation partially surrounding the ladingwith the margin of the cover blank positioned overlying the flanges ofthe folded body blank as the folded body blank formation is moved off ofsaid conveying means and eighth means adjacent said discharge stationfor securing the flanges of the body blank to the adjacent facing marginof the cover blank.

Also. according to the invention there is provided a method for forminga sealed package containing lading from a generally rectangular bodyblank of paperboard material and a generally rectangular cover blank ofpaperboard material. the body blank including a center panel, alternate.hingedly connected side panels and flanges hingedly connected along thelongitudinal edges of the center and side panels and along the ends ofthe side panels. and the cover blank including a center panel andalternate hingedly connected side panels. said method including thesteps of positioning the body blank in a generally vertical planeadjacent the outlet of a lading moving station; moving a quantity oflading horizontally in one direction and against the body blank; foldingthe body blank into a generally U-shaped formation partially surroundingthe lading with the panels lying in generally vertical planes and withthe center panel forming an end wall and the side panels forming twoside walls of the formation as the lading is moved from the ladingmoving station; folding the flanges along each longitudinal edge of thebody blank to positions generally perpendicular to the associated sidewalls and end wall during movement of the lading against the body blank;folding the end flanges to positions generally perpendicular to theassociated side walls; moving the folded body blank and lading in adirection laterally of said one direction to a discharge station.positioning the cover blank in a generally vertical plane adjacent thedischarge station, moving the folded body blank and lading in a thirddirection laterally of said second direction and against the coverblank; folding the cover blank into a U-shaped formation partiallysurrounding the lading with the margin of the cover blank positionedoverlying the flanges of the folded body blank as the folded body blankformation is moved against said cover blank and securing the flanges ofthe body blank to the adjacent facing margin of the cover blank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a flow diagram illustratingthe manner in which two blanks are folded about a quantity of lading toform a sealed package and illustrating the successive steps that arefollowed in practicing the packaging method of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the packaging machine of the invention withportions broken away to show details;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the machine as viewed along line3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the packaging machine as viewedalong line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the machine viewed along line 55 ofFIG. 2 and with portions broken away;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a body blank movingmechanism,

Referring now to FIG. I, the invention is shown as utilizing twoseparated blanks of paperboard material comprising a body blank 10 and acover blank 12 which form a sealed package 14 by wrapping the two blanksaround a quantity or stack of lading 16. The body blank 10 includes acenter panel 18 and alternate hingedly. connected side panels 19 and 20.Flanges 21, 22. and 23 are hingedly connected along the side edges ofthe panels l8, l9, and and end flanges 24 are hingedly connected alongthe ends of the side panels 19 and 20. The cover blank 12 is unflangedand includes a center panel 28 and alternate hingedly connected sidepanels 29 and 30.

The method and machine of the invention are particularly adapted for usewith a conventional semiautomatic case packer, generally designated 32,a portion of which is shown in FIG. I. The machine of the inven- FIG. 7is an end elevational view of the mechanism I tion is designatedgenerally by'the reference numeral 34.

Referring to FIGS. I and 4, the case packer 32 includes an infeedconveyor 36 on which articles of lading 38 are moved to a ladingejecting station 40. At station 40, the articles 38 are elevated by aconventional elevating mechanism until a quantity of the articles isgrouped to form the stack 16 of lading. Then a pusher mechanism orlading moving ram 42 vis activated to push the stack 16 in a horizontaldirection, indicated by the arrow 43 through a discharge funnel 44 atthe lading ejecting station 40. as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. The dischargefunnel 44 is commonly referred to as a horn. In the conventional casepacker use. a pa rtially formed carton set up from a one-piece use. apartially formed carton set up from a one-piece blank and closed on fivesides would be fitted over the horn to receive a quantity of ladingejected through the horn 44 and thereafter deposited on a conveyor.Then. the partially assembled packages must be sealed manually byfolding the end flaps of the carton. With the machine 34 of the presentinvention. the packaging of each lading stack 16 is effectedautomatically and continuously using a twoblank carton system.

The machine 34 includes a conveyor mechanism 48 which includes anendlessconveyor assembly 50 having an upper run or'reach 52 which movesin a horizontal direction 55 laterally of the direction 43 of the pushermechanism 42. The conveyor mechanism 50 includes a receiving station 58at one end and .a discharge station 60 at the other end of the conveyorassembly 50. Additionally. the conveyor mechanism 48 includes anintermediate station 62 where end flanges 24 of a folded body blank.l0are folded.

The machine 34 further includes a pushermechanisrn 64 at the dischargestation for moving a folded body blank formation off the conveyorassembly 50 and against a cover blank 12. acompression chamber 66 intowhich the resulting two-blank formation is moved. a magazine 68 of bodyblanks. a magazine 70 of cover blanks. and various other mechanisms formoving a blank from either ofthe magazines 68 or 70 to a desiredposition adjacent the receiving station 58 or the discharge station 60,and various devices and mechanisms to be described below for effectingthe folding of a body blank about the lading 16 at the receiving station58 and for folding a cover blank 12 about the folded body blankformation at the discharge station 60. The operation of the machine anda detailed description of the various devices and mechanisms referred toabove will now be described having particular reference to FIG. I.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. I, there is illustrated a vacuum orsuction cup assembly 74 which is utilized for moving a body blank 10from the magazine 68 downwardly to a position between the ladingejecting station 40 and the receiving station 58. The assembly 74includes a framework 76 which mounts two pneumatic or hydrauliccylinders 78 each of which has a suction cup 80 mounted to the distalend of a piston rod extending therefrom. The suction cups 80 areconnected by fluid lines not shown to a source of vacuum. The framework76 is secured to the lower end ofa vertically movable piston rod 84which extends from a pneumatic or hydraulic operated cylinder 86.

In the operation of the assembly 74, the cylinders 78 are actuated tomove the suction cups 80 forward toward the outlet end of the magazine68 and into engagement with one side of a blank 10. Then vacuum isapplied to the suction cups 80 so that they can hold the blank 10thereto. Next, the cylinders 78 are actuated to retract the suction cups80 with a blank held thereto. Subsequently, the cylinder 86 is operatedto move the framework 74 downwardly thereby to carry the blank 10downwardly. When the piston rod 84 has reached the lower extent of itsvertical movement, vacuum is released from the suction cups 80 to allowthe blank 10 to slide downwardly. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it willbe understood that vertically extending guide members are provided formaintaining proper positioning of the body blank 10 as it is moveddownwardly. Also, and as is shown in FIG. 1, a seating member or bar 90is situated between the lading ejecting station and the receivingstation in position to provide a stop or rest for supporting the coverblank 10 two stations 40 and 58.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 a modified form ofa cover blank movingassembly is illustrated and generally designated by the referencenumeral 94. The mechanism 94 operates without the use of vacuum inmoving a cover blank from the magazine 68. The moving mechanism 94includes a framework 96 connected to the lower end of a piston rod 98extending from a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 100. The framework 96is generally H-shaped and includes vertically extending legs I01 and102. As shown an edge-engaging member 104 extends between and is securedto the upper ends of the legs 10] and 102 and has a shoulder 106 (FIG.7) dimensioned and arranged to engage the upper one of the twolongitudinal edges of the blank 10. Attached to the lower end of eachleg 101 and 102 is a pad 111, I 12. Each of the pads has a plurality ofteeth 114 extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom as shown in FIG.7. These teeth are arranged to engage and dig into a body blank at theoutlet end of the magazine 68 adjacent the lower longitudinal edge ofthe blank 10 and in cooperation with the shoulder 106 move the blank 10downwardly between two guide rails I21 and 122 to the desired positionadjacent the entrance and to the receiving station 58.

From FIG. 7, it is apparent that the mechanism 94 has a thinner profilethan the assembly 74 which permits the mechanism 94 easily to movebetween the lading ejecting station 40 and the receiving station 58. Toprovide space between the outlet end of the lading ejecting station 40and the entrance to the receiving station 58, the conveyor assembly 50is spaced a short distance from the lading ejecting station and theconveying mechanism 48 includes a cylinder 130 for moving the conveyorassembly 50 toward and away from the born 44 in a direction laterally ofthe direction of movement of the conveyor assembly 50 as indicated bythe arrow 131. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, severalfunctions are accomplished when this lateral movement is effected, oneof which is the movement of the receiving station 58 closer to thelading ejecting station 40. In this way, folding members, morespecifically a pair of vertical folding rollers I34 and a pair of flangefolding bars 136, are moved closer to the blank 10 if not into actualengagement with the blank 10. As shown the rollers 134 are located oneither side of the entrance to the receiving station 58 and the foldingbars 136, only one of which is shown in the Figures. are positionedabove and below the entrance to the receiving station 58.

As shown in FIG. 1, after the quantity of lading 16 has been assembled,the pusher mechanism 42 is operated and moves forward in the directionindicated by the arrow 43 to move the quantity 16 of lading through thedischarge funnel or horn 44 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and aganist the blank 10positioned adjacent the discharge end of the lading ejecting station 40and the entrance end to the receiving station 58 of the conveyormechanism 50. As the lading 16 is moved against the blank 10, it forcesthe blank 10 against the rollers 134 and the bars 136 which fold overthe panels 19 and 20 and the flanges 21-23.

In the first folding operation, the blank 10 is first positioned asshown, the cylinder 130 is operated to move the conveyor 50 closer tothe lading ejecting station 40 and then the pusher 42 is operated tomove the lading 16 through the discharge horn 44 and against the centerpanel 18 of the blank 10. Further movement causes the panels 19 and 20to engage the rollers 134 which fold the panels 19 and 20 against thelading 16 to form the body blank 10 into a generally U-shaped formationpartially surrounding the lading 16. At the same time, the folding bars136 fold over the flanges 21, 22, and 23 to a position degrees withrespect to the associated panels 18, 19 and 20. To facilitate thefolding action, the folding bars 136 preferably have a curved or beveledsurface 140 which is best shown in FIG. 8. In this way, the folding bars136 function as plow members which plow over the flanges 21, 22 and 23as the pusher 42 is moving the lading through the funnel 44 and into thereceiving station 58 of the conveyor mechanism 50. The resultingformation 142 of folded blank 10 and lading 16 is now at the upstreamend of the upper run 52 of the conveyor assembly 50. Next, the cylinderis operated to move the conveyor assembly 50 back to its formerposition.

Then the conveyor assembly 50 is indexed to move the formation 142 tothe intermediate or end flange folding station 62. In FIG. I, aformation 1420 is shown in this position. A subsequent quantity oflading 16 is then stacked at the lading ejecting station and anotherbody blank 10 is moved into position. After these two subsequent eventshave occurred, the cylinder 130 is again actuated to move the conveyorassembly forward. This will result in the movement of the end flanges 24of the formation 142a against a pair of end flange folding mechanisms148 only one of which is shown in FIG. 1. Each of the mechanisms 148includes a vertically extending pivotally mounted plate 150 which isspring-biased to an inclined position toward the conveyor mechanism 50as shown in FIG. 1. It will be apparent that as the conveyor assembly 50is moved laterally in the direction indicated by the arrow 131, the endflanges 24 will engage the plates 150 and will be bent inwardly of theformation 142a as the plate 150 is moved backwardly to a positionperpendicular to the direction of the arrow 131 at which point the endflanges 24 will be completely folded over to positions perpendicular tothe associated panels 19 and 20.

At the same time, a subsequent blank 10 is being folded into a U-shapedabout lading to form another formation 142 at the receiving station 58as shown in FIG. 1. Next, the cylinder 130 is operated and the conveyorassembly 50 is indexed again, this time to bring the formation 142a tothe discharge station with the end flanges 24 folded over as shown bythe formation l42b at the discharge station in FIG. 1. At the same timethe second formed formation 142 is moved to the position of theformation 142a. The previously described operations are repeated andwhile the conveyor assembly 50 is in the forward position, the pushermechanism 64 is operated to push the formation l42b out of the dischargestation and against a cover blank 12. Prior to this operation, however,other mechanisms have been operated to move a cover blank 12 from theoutlet end of the magazine 70 to a desired position adjacent the exitend of the discharge station 60. Also, if the cover blanks 12 had notbeen previously treated with an adhesive along the margin on one sidethereof, adhesive is applied to the margin of the cover blank 12 as willbe described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, there is illustrated adjacent the outletend of the magazine 70 an adhesiveapplying device 156. The device 156includes two applicator heads 158 mounted at spaced-apart locations on ahorizontally extending arm 160 which extends from a framework 161journaled on two vertical guide rods 162. A suitable drive mechanismsuch as the piston and cylinder device 164 shown in FIG. 3 is connectedto the arm 160 for moving the same upwardly or downwardly thereby tomove the heads 158 in one vertical stroke along the longitudinal sidemargins on one side of a cover blank 12 at the outlet end of themagazine 70. Of course, other suitable drives such as a motor and chainarrangement can be utilized. An adhesive pump 166 is mounted on theframework 161 and is operated when the framework 161 is moved upwardlyor downwardly to pump adhesive to the applicators 158. For this purpose,the pump 166 has a shaft 168 extending therefrom and first and secondoneway pinion gears 171 and 172 are mounted thereon. A rack 173 ispositioned adjacent to and engages the pinion 171. Likewise, a rack 174is positioned adjacent to and engages the pinion 172. The pinion gears171 and 172 are mounted with oneway clutches onto the shaft 168 suchthat on one stroke of upward or downward movement the pinion 172 willrotate on the rack and freely on the shaft 168 while the pinion 171 willrotate on the rack 173 and be fixed to the shaft 168 thereby causingrotation of the shaft 168 in one direction. Then. when the framework 161is moved in the opposite direction. the pinion gear 171 will rotatefreely and the pinion 172 will rotate the shaft 168 in said onedirection. In this way, on either upward or downward movement of theframework 161, the shaft 168 will always be rotated in the samedirection to properly operate the pump 166 for pumping adhesive to theapplicators 158. I

After the platform 161has been moved upwardly or downwardly and anadhesive has been applied to the longitudinal margins of the cover blank12 at the outlet of the magazinei70, a blank moving mechanism isoperated to move the cover blank 12 laterally of the magazine 70. Themoving mechanism 180 illustrated in FIGS. 1 2, and 3 includes a suctioncup assembly similar to the suction cup assembly 74. In this respect themechanism 180 includes a frame member 182 mounting two cylinders 184from which extend'piston rods having suction cups 186 at the distal endsthereof. The suction cups 186 areponnected to a source of vacuum notshown. The frame member=182 is mounted to the distal end of apiston rod188 extending from a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 190.

After adhesive has been applied to the longitudinal marginof the blank12, the cylinders184 are operated to move the suction cups .186 againstthe cover blank 12 and vacuum is applied thereto to secure the coverblank 12 to the mechanism 180.,Then the cylinder 190' is operated tomovethe whole assembly laterally to the left viewing the same in FIG. 1to move the cover blank 12 from the outlet end of the magazine 70.During this movement, a pair of vertically spaced apart adhesiveapplicators or glue heads 192 are operated to apply adhesive to theupper and lower margins of the cover blank 12 adjacent the end edges ofthe coverblank 12. After the cover blank 12 has been moved a shortdistance laterally of the magazine 70, operation of the cylinder 190 isterminated and operation of a gripping mechanism 196 is initiated tomove a pair of grippers 198 into position to grip the cover blank 12adjacent one longitudinal edge thereof. The gripping mechanism 196includes a vertical positioned frame member 199 which mounts the pair ofgrippers at each end thereof.

A piston and cylinder mechanism 200 is connected to the frame member l99for moving the frame member to and from the position shown in FIG. 1. Asbest shown in FIG. 9, each gripper 198 includes a pair of ary and theother jaw 2041s pivotablebetween an open; position and. a closedposition. Also, it will be noted that the jaw 204 is L-shaped with along leg 205 and a short leg 206 forming the gripping portion so thatthe jaw 204 can extend about a line 207 of adhesive on the marginadjacent the oneedg'e of the blank 12. Also, it will be noted that thefixed jaw 202 has an outwardly bent end or lip 208 to facilitatemovement of the gripper 198 past the edgeofthe cover blank 12. In thisrespect. when the cylinder 200 is operated; the jaw 204 is in an openposition and this permits the lip 208 to slide behind the cover blankl2until the path of movement of the grippingportion 206 of the jaw 204is beyond the line ofadhesive .207, at which point a cylinder 210 isoperated to move the jaw 204 to the jaw closed position and thereby gripthe cover blank 12 as shown in FIG. 9. Then the cylinder 200 is operatedto retract the gripping mechanism 196 thereby to pull the cover blank 12to a desired position adjacent'the outlet end of a discharge funnel 214(FIG. 3) at the discharge station 60.

In the desired position. the cover blank 12 rests on a support member216 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and the cylinders 210 are now operated to move thejaw 204 to a jaw open position thereby to release the cover blank so itcan be folded about the exposed lading l6 and the folded flanges of bodyblank 10 when the formation 1421) is moved against the cover blank 12.It will be understood that the vertical spacing between the grippers 198can be varied so as to provide for the most efficient folding of thecover blank 12 when the panels 29 and 30 engage a pair of foldingrollers 218 as the formation 142i; is moved against the center panel 28of the cover blank 12.

In a modified embodiment of the machine 34, the blank moving mechanism130 is replaced by a blank edge pusher 220 shown in FIG. 10. The edgepusher 200 includes a vertical member 222 having an L- shaped crosssection embodying a shoulder for engaging the longitudinal side edge ofa cover blank 12 to move the same laterally from the magazine 70 towardsthe position adjacent the outlet end of the discharge station 60. Themechanism 220 also includes a piston and cylinder device 224 connectedto the member 222 for moving the same. It will be apparent that sincethe blank edge pusher 220 does not firmly grip the cover blank 12 asdoes the mechanism 180, the pusher 220 is only operable to move thecover blank 12 a short distance from the magazine 70. Of course, it isonly necessary to move the cover blank 12 a distance sufficient toenable the gripping mechanism 196 to engage and grip the cover blank 12adjacent the opposite longitudinal edge thereof as shown in phantomlines in FIG. 1. The stroke of cylinder 200 can be adjusted forwhichever device, mechanism 180 or pusher 220, is utilized.

When the cover blank 12 has been moved to the de sired position adjacentthe exit end of the discharge funnel 214 at the discharge station 60,the pusher 64 is operated to move the formation 1421; into the funnel214 and then into engagement with the cover blank 12. The walls of thefunnel 214 will maintain the side panels 19, and side flanges 21-23folded in place. However, the end flanges 24 may tend to springoutwardly due to the natural flexibility of the paperboard material.Accordingly, if desired, a pair of secondary end flange folding device228 may be provided as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. Each of the secondaryend flange f0lding devices 228 includes a pneumatic or hydraulic cyl'inder 232 suitably mounted adjacent the outlet of the funnel 214. Thedistal end of the piston rod extending from each cylinder 232 isconnected to a vertically extending plate 234 which may have any desiredvertical dimension and in FIG. 11 is shown with a short verticaldimension. Inasmuch as the end flanges 24 had been initially folded atthe flange folding station 62, the flanges 24 will not spring all theway out to their original position but instead will only spring slightlyoutwardly so as to be inclined as shown in FIG. 11.

In one mode of operation of the machine 34, the cylinders 232 areoperated to move the plates 234 to a position adjacent the end of thefunnel 214 when the pusher 64 is operated to move the formation l42binto the funnel 214. The length of the stroke of movement of the pusher64 in this mode of operation is such that the formation l42b is moved upto but not past the extended position of the plates 234. In thisrespect, the end flanges 24 will be moved into engagement with theplates 234 and bear thereagainst so as to fold them back to their foldedposition extending degrees from the side panels 19 and 20. It will beunderstood that the secondary flange folding devices 228 move with thefunnel 214 and the conveyor assembly 50 when the conveyor assembly 50 ismoved by the cylinder 130. The plates 234 will now hold the end flanges24 in the folded positions until a subsequent operation of the pusher 64which will push a subsequent formation 1421? into the funnel 214. Atthis point in time the devices 223 are operated to retract the plates234 and allow the formation 142b in the funnel 214 to be moved againstthe cover blank 12. Also, it will be understood that the funnel 214 willhave been moved a short distance forward toward the cover blank 12 andto a position where the exit end thereof is closely adjacent the centerpanel of the cover blank 12. The pusher 64 is now operated and will moveone formation 142i; into the funnel while moving the formation 14212 inthe funnel against the cover blank 12 the side panels 29, 30 of whichengage the rollers 218 to cause folding over of the cover blank 12 aboutthe exposed lading and folded flanges 21-23 as shown in phantom lines inFIG. 1. As the cover blank 12 is being folded over as shown in FIG. 1,the two blanks 10 and 12 as well as the lading 16 are moved into thecompression chamber 66.

The compression chamber 66 may take any one of several formsandtypically will have side walls and top and bottom walls which can bemoved toward and away from each other so that the distance between thewalls can be made slightly less than the dimensions of a carton orpackage 14 formed from the two blanks 10 and 12 with the lading 16enclosed therein. As a result pressure is applied to the side walls ofthe carton thereby to hold the margin of the cover blank 12 against thefolded flanges 21-23 of the body blank 10 while the adhesivetherebetween sets. The frictional pressure of the walls of thecompression chamber 66 against the thusly formed package will also serveto retard movement of a completed package through the compressionchamber 66. As a result, the wall formed by the center panel 18 of thebody blank 10 will bear against the center panel 28 of the cover blank12 of a subsequently formed package and thereby force the margins of thecenter panel 28 0f the cover blank 12 of the subsequent package againstthe end flanges 21-23 of the body blank 10 of the subsequent package tohold them against each other while the adhesive therebetween sets.

It will be understood from the foregoing description of the constructionand operation of the machine 34 that it is designed to operateautomatically and intermittently. In this respect it will take a shorttime to collect a quantity of lading and stack it in the manner shown inFIG. 1 and the machine will operate in a stepwise fashion in the mannerjust described to automatically and intermittently in step by stepfashion form packages which are fully sealed by the time each completedpackage 14 reaches the outlet end of the compression chamber 66. Also itwill be understood that the machine 34 will include suitable electrical,hydrauhe and/or pneumatic controls of known type for controlling theopertaion of the machine 34 such that the above-described operationsareperformed in a proper timed sequence. I

It will be apparent from FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 that the conveyor mechanism50 includes a framework 240 for supporting the conveyor assembly 50.Also, it will be noted that the framework 240 supports a pair of guideplates 242 (FIG. 2) which hold the folded flanges 2l23 at the upper sideof the formation 142 in place as the formation 142 is intermittentlymoved by the conveyor assembly 50 from the receiving station 58 to thedischarge station 60. Also, it will be understood that the foldedflanges at the lower side of the forma tions 142 will be held in placeby the slats forming the upper run 52 of the endless conveyor assembly50. Moreover, and as best shown in FIG. 1, there are two elongate guideplates 244 extending between the intermediate station 62 and thedischarge station 60. These guide plates 244 are arranged to engage thefolded end flanges 24 and hold the same in place while the formation1420 is being moved to the position of the formation 142b at thedischarge station 60.

The magazine 68 is supported by a framework 250 above the ladingejecting station 40 as shown in FIG. 4. Also, a chain conveyor mechanism254 including a pair of chains is located beneath and forms a part ofthe magazine 68. A bracket 258 is secured to the chains 256 and isarranged to engage the back side of the stack of body blanks in themagazine 68. A pair of dual acting piston and cylinder devices 260 arearranged to engage the chains so as to urge the bracket 258 against theback side of the stack of body blanks 10. In this respect, the distalend of a piston rod 261 from each piston and cylinder device 260 has apall 262 which ratchetly engages lugs (not shown) on one of the conveyorchains 256. Control pressure is applied to the device 260 and suitablecontrol valves are utilized in conjunction therewith such that pressureis applied to extend the piston rod until the piston reaches the forwardend of the cylinder 260 at which time fluid pressure is applied to theforward end of the cylinder 260 to retract the piston to the rearwardend of the cylinder causing the pall 262 to ratchet over other lugs.Then pressure is again applied to the rearward end of the cylinder 260to cause the pall to engage another lug and thereby continuously urgethe bracket 258 against the back side of the stack of body blanks 10 inthe magazine 68.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the magazine 68 also includes a pair ofguide rails 263 which have an in verted V-shaped cross section. It willbe noted that each of the cover blanks has a V-shaped notch therein atthe junction between the flanges 22, 23 connected to the side panels 19,and the flanges 21 connected to the center panel 18. Each V-shaped notchallows the flanges to be folded over and form a miter joint therebetweenas shown in the formations 142 in FIG. 1. The V-shaped notches alsofacilitate and permit proper guiding and locating of the cover blanksthey are moved through the magazine 68 by reason of the mat ing fitbetween the inverted V-shaped support members 263 received in theV-shaped notches. Thus, the members 263 hold the body blanks 10 inproper alignment during their movement through the magazine 68 so thatas each body blank 10 reaches the outlet end of the magazine 68, it isin proper position to be moved downwardly to the folding positionbetween the lading ejecting station 40 and the receiving station 58.

V I As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the magazine is posi-,- I tioned adjacentand laterally to the side of the compression chamber 66. In the magazine7!), the cover blanks 12 are also arranged in a. horizontally extendingstack but with the cover blanks 12 supported on an end edge thereof asopposed to a side edge, as is the case with the body blanks 10 in themagazine 68. The magazine 70 has side walls 264 (only shown in FIG. 2)to maintain the cover blanks in proper alignment. Also, the magazine 70includes a conveyor chain arrangement 268. including a bracket 270, anda pair of piston and cylinder devices 272. The piston and cylinderdevices 272 operate in the same manner as the piston and cylinderdevices 260 to continuously urge the bracket 270 against the back end ofthe stack of cover blanks 12.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the machine 34provides a number of advantages some of which have been described aboveand others of which are inherent in the machine. Specifically, themachine 34 can be fully automatic as well as semiautomatic in operation.Also, the movement of the lading through the machine is on onehorizontal level although in three directions through the machine.Moreover, the component parts of the machine such as the conveyormechanism 48, the magazines 68 and 70 and the compression chamber 66 arearranged to take up a relatively small amount of space and are veryconveniently arranged to fit around and about a conventional casepacking machine. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to belimited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

What it is desired to cover by Letters Patent inthe United States is:

l. A machine for forming a sealed package containing lading from agenerally rectangular body blank'of paperboard material and a generallyrectangular cover blank of paperboard material, the body blank includinga center panel, alternate, hingedly connected side panels and flangeshingedly connected along the longitudinal edges of the center and sidepanels and along the ends of the side panels, and the cover blankincluding a center panel and alternate hingedly connected side panels,said machine including first means for positioning the body blank in agenerally vertical plane adjacent the outlet of a lading moving stationfrom which a quantity of lading is moved horizontally in one direction,conveying means positioned for horizontal movement in a directionlaterally of said one direction, said conveying means including areceiving station adjacent said lading moving station and a dischargestation spaced downstream from said receiving station, second means atsaid receiving station for folding the body blank into a generallyU-shaped formation partially sur-" rounding a quantity of lading withthe center panel forming an end wall and the side panels forming twoside walls of the formation as the quantity of lading is moved from thelading moving station, engages the body blank and moves onto saidconveying means,

third means at said receiving station for folding the flanges along eachlongitudinal edge of the body blank to positions generally perpendicularto the associated side walls and end wall during movement of the ladingagainst the body blank and onto said conveying means, fourth means forfolding the end flanges to a position generally perpendicular to theassociated side walls,

said conveying means being operative to move the folded body blank andlading to said discharge station, fifth means for positioning the coverblank in a generally vertical plane adjacent said discharge station,sixth means at said discharge station formoving the folded body blankand lading laterally off of said conveying means and against the coverblank, seventh means at said discharge station for folding the coverblank into a U-shaped formation partially surrounding the lading withthe margin of the cover blank positioned overlying the flanges of thefolded body blank as the folded body blank formation is moved off ofsaid conveying means and eighth means adjacent said discharge stationfor securing the flanges of the body blank to the adjacent facing marginof the cover blank.

2. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said first means forpositioning the body blank include a vacuum cup assembly comprising atleast two vacuum cups, means for moving said vacuum cups in a givendirection to and from a position adjacent the outlet end of a magazinefor body blanks whereby, when said vacuum cups are disposed adjacent theoutlet end of the magazine, vacuum can be applied to said cups forpulling a body blank from the magazine and holding the same in avertical plane and means for moving said vacuum cup assembly with thebody blank held thereto in a direction transversely of said givendirection thereby to move the body blank to a position adjacent theoutlet of the lading moving station.

3. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said first means forpositioning the body blank include a blank gripping assembly comprisingat least two pads.

having inclined teeth arranged thereon, an elongate shoulder formationfixed to said assembly and spaced from said pads and means for movingsaid assembly toward and away from the lading moving station and pastthe outlet of a magazine containing a supply of body blanks, said padsbeing arranged to engage a body blank at the magazine outlet adjacentone edge of the blank and said shoulder formation being arranged toengage the opposite edge of the body blank when said moving means isoperated to move said assembly toward the lading moving station, saidteeth on said pad being inclined toward the lading moving station so asto dig into one face of the body blank up movement toward the ladingmoving station and to disengage and brush across the one face of thebody blank upon movement away from the lading moving station.

4. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said second means forfolding the panels of the body blank include a pair of generally uprightrollers each positioned on one side of said receiving station andoperable to engage and fold over the side panels of the body blank asthe lading engages the center panel of the body blank and pushes thebody blank onto said conveying means.

5. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said third means for foldingthe flanges along the longitudinal edges of the body blank include twoelongate horizontally extending members positioned respectfully at thetop and bottom of said receiving station, each member having a curvedbaffle-forming surface facing toward the lading moving station, and saidbaffle-forming surfaces being arranged to engage and fold over theflanges connected to the side edges of the center and side panels as thelading engages the body blank and moves the body blank onto saidconveying means.

6. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said conveying means includeupper elongate plate means extending horizontally between said receivingstation and said discharging station and arranged to engage the foldedflanges on the upwardly facing side of the folded body blank formationand to maintain the flanges folded during the conveying of the formationto said discharge station.

7. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said conveying means includean endless conveyor assembly having an upper run for supporting andtransporting the body blank formation and means for moving said conveyorassembly laterally of the direction of movement of said upper runthereby to move said receiving station toward and away from the ladingmoving station.

8. The machine according to claim 7 including an intermediate stationlocated adjacent said conveying means intermediate said receivingstation and said discharge station, said fourth means being located atsaid intermediate station and including a pair of spring biasedvertically extending horizontally deflectible plates, each plate beingpositioned to engage one of the end flanges after the folded body blankformation has been indexed by said conveyor assembly to saidintermediate station and said conveyor assembly is moved by said movingmeans laterally of the direction of movement of said upper run to movesaid receiving station toward the lading moving station for receivinganother body blank and lading and simultaneously to move the firstfolded body blank formation toward said deflectible plates which engageand fold over the end flanges.

9. The machine according to claim 8 wherein said conveying means includeelongate plate means extending horizontally between said intermediatestation and said discharge station and position along one side of saidconveyor assembly for engaging the folded end flanges to maintainthe endflanges folded when said conveyor assembly is -again indexed to move thefolded body blank formation .from said intermediate station to saiddischarge station.

10. The machinev according to claim 1 wherein a discharge funnel ispositioned at said discharge station adjacent one side'of said conveyingmeans, said sixth means being located at the opposite side of saidconveying means and being operative to push said folded body blankformation into said discharge funnel and subsequently to push a secondbody blank formation against the body blank formation in the funnelthereby to push the first body blank formation against a cover blankwhich is positioned at the outlet end of said discharge funnel.

11. The machine according to claim 10 including secondary end flangefolding members positioned at said outlet end of said discharge funnel,said secondary end flange folding members being movable to positionsadjacent opposite sides of said funnel for engaging and refolding theend flanges which may have sprung outwardly due to the resiliency of thepaperboard material before the folded body blank formation engages thecover blank.

12. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said fifth means forpositioning the cover blank include a suction cup assembly comprising atleast two suction cups, a mechanism for moving said cups in a givendirection to and from a position adjacent the outlet end of a magazinecontaining a supply of cover blanks whereby, when said cups arepositioned; adjacent the outlet end of the magazine, the suction cups;can: be connected to a source of vacuum forpulling a cover blank fromthemagazine, and means. for rnoving the suction cup assembly in a directiontransversely of the, given direction to move a cover blank to theposition tion.

i 14. The machine according to claim 13 wherein said gripper meansincludes at least, two grippers, each gripper including a pair ofjawsand at least one of said jaws being pivotable to and from ablank-engaging position,

said gripper means being operable when said blank has been moved to aposition adjacent the discharge station to cause said movable jaw tomove to a nongripping position thereby releasing the cover blank toallow the cover blank to be folded about the folded body blank formationas the formation is moved from said discharge station against the coverblank.

15. The machine according to claim 13 wherein said fifth means furtherinclude a blank edge pusher positioned adjacent one side of a magazinecontaining a supply of cover blanks said blank edge pusher includingseating means for engaging a side edge ofa cover blank when said blankedge pusher is operated to move a cover blank at least part way from themagazine and to a position where said gripper means can reach and gripthe cover blank adjacent the opposite side edge of the cover blank,

16. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said seventh means forfolding the cover blank include a pair of horizontally extending foldingrollers vertically spaced apart adjacent said discharge station andbeing operative to engage the side panels of the cover blank adjacentthe respective connection of each side panel to the center panel of thecover blank when and as the folded body blank formation is moved fromsaid discharge station against the cover blank.

17. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said eighth means forsecuring the cover blank to the body blank include verticallyreciprocable means for applying adhesive to the longitudinal margin ofthe cover blank prior to the movement of the cover blank to the positionadjacent said discharge station said means being operable on one strokeof movement to apply two strips of adhesive to the cover blank, eachstrip being along one longitudinal margin of the cover blank andsubsequently on a reverse stroke of movement to apply adhesive to asubsequent cover blank in a similar manner.

18. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said I eighth means forsecuring the cover blank to the body lit) of'the cover blank to-holdthesame in engagement with .the flanges of the" body blank bearing againstthe inner facing margin"ofr;th.eside -panels while an adhesivetherebetween sets, and said means, for, applying pressure to the sid' ep anels .Qfthe. cover vblank -being operative to retardjnio vement-of apackage throughthe compression chamber so, that the center panel of acover blank of one package-will engage and bear against the center panelof the body blank of a preceding package in said compression chamberthereby to urge the inner facing-margin of the center panel of thecoverblank of the subsequent package against the end flanges of the bodyblank of the subsequent package and hold the same in place while theadhesive therebetween sets.'

20. The machine according to claim l l.including a magazine containing asupply of body blanks, said magazine being'supported above the ladingmoving station and including means for urging the body blanks toward anoutlet end of said magazine located above and gen erally in alignmentwith the outlet of the lading moving station and the entrance to saidreceiving station, each bodyblank having two Vshaped notches in eachlongi-- tudinal side edge thereof, each notch separating the flangeconnected to a side panel from the flange .con-

nected to the center panel and said magazine including two elongatesupporting members each having an inverted V-cross section whereby eachsupport member r receives therein one of the V-shaped notches on oneside of each body blank and together said support members serve as aguide means for maintaining the body blanks in proper alignment as theyare urged to ward the outlet end of said magazine.

21. The machine according to claim 19 including a magazine containing asupply of cover blanks, said magazine being elongate and being disposedparallel to and alongside of said compression chamber, and said magazineincluding means for urging the cover blanks toward an outlet end of saidmagazine, said outlet end of said magazine being aligned with the outletof said discharge station and theinlet to. said compression chamber.

22. A machine for forming a sealed package contaiing lading from agenerally rectangular body blankof paperboard material and a generallyrectangular cover is ejecting the lading through said discharge funnel,and

said machine including means, for positioning the body blank in agenerally vertical plane adjacent the outlet of said discharge funnelfrom which a quantity of lading is ejected horizontally in one diection,conveying means positioned for horizontal movement in adirectionlaterally of .said one direction, said conveying means includingareceivingistation adjacent said lading ejecting station anda dischargestation spaced downstream fromsaid receiving station, means at saidreceiving station fo'rfolding the body blank into a generallyU-shapedformation partially surrounding a quantity of lading with thecenter panel forming an end wall and the side panels forming two sidewalls of the formation as the quantity of lading is ejected from thelading ejecting station, engages the body blank and moves onto saidconveying means, means at said receiving station for folding the flangesalong each longitudinal edge of the body blank to positions generallyperpendicular to the associated side walls and end wall during movementof the lading against the body blank and onto said conveying means,means for folding the end flanges to a position generally perpendicularto the associated side walls, said conveying means being operative tomove the folded body blank and lading to said discharge station, meansfor positioning the cover blank in a generally vertical plane adjacentsaid discharge station, means at said discharge station for moving thefolded body blank and lading laterally off of said conveying means andagainst the cover blank, means at said discharge station for folding thecover blank into a U-shaped formation partially surrounding the ladingwith the margin of the cover blank positioned overlying the flanges ofthe folded body blank as the folded body blank formation is moved off ofsaid conveying means and means adjacent said discharge station forsecuring the flanges of the body blank to the adjacent facing margin ofthe cover blank.

23. A method for forming a sealed package containing lading from agenerally rectangular body blank of paperboard material and a generallyrectangular cover blank of paperboard material, the body blank includinga center panel, alternate, hingedly connected side panels and flangeshingedly connected along the longitudina] edges of the center and sidepanels and along the ends of the side panels, and the cover blankincluding a center panel and alternate hingedly connected side panels,said method including the steps of positioning the body blank in agenerally vertical plane adjacent the outlet of a lading moving station;moving a quantity of lading horizontally in one direction and againstthe body blank; folding the body blank into a generally U- shapedformation partially surrounding the lading with the panels lying ingenerally vertical planes and with the center panel forming an end walland the side panels forming two side walls of the formation as thelading is moved from the lading moving station; folding the flangesalong each longitudinal edge of the body blank to positions generallyperpendicular to the associated side walls and end wall during movementof the lading against the body blank; folding the end flanges topositions generally perpendicular to the associated side walls; movingthe folded body blank and lading in direction laterally of said onedirection to a discharge station, positioning the cover blank in agenerally vertical plane adjacent the discharge station. moving thefolded body blank and lading in a third direction laterally of saidsecond direction and against the cover blank; folding the cover blankinto a U-shaped formation partially surrounding the lading with themargin of the cover blank positioned overlying the flanges of the foldedbody blank as the folded body blank formation is moved against saidcover blank and securing the flanges of the body blank to the adjacentfacing margin of the cover blank.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE QERTIFECATE 0F CORRECTIONPATENT NO.

DATED |NVENTOR(S) Column Column Column Column Column Column ColumnColumn Column Column Column [SEAL] 2 of Abstract, line 2, change "a" v oll, l3, l4, l5, 15,

July 29,

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown betow:

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40, delete the words "use, a partially formed"; 41, delete the words"carton set up from a one-piece"; 44, after "10, insert which has beenlowered into the desired position between the--; 21, change "shaped" toshape-; 44, change "vertical" to vertically; 24, change "200" to 220-;

2, change "opertaion" to operation-; 45, change "up" to -upon; 37,change "position" to positioned-; 8, change "adjacents" to -adjacent-;29, before "said", insert a comma Signed and Emalcd thls fourteenth DayOf October 1975 Attest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer to an;

C. MARSHALL DANN (ummissiuner 0f Parents and Trademarks

1. A machine for forming a sealed package containing lading from agenerally rectangular body blank of paperboard material and a generallyrectangular cover blank of paperboard material, the body blank includinga center panel, alternate, hingedly connected side panels and flangeshingedly connected along the longitudinal edges of the center and sidepanels and along the ends of the side panels, and the cover blankincluding a center panel and alternate hingedly connected side panels,said machine including first means for positioning the body blank in agenerally vertical plane adjacent the outlet of a lading moving stationfrom which a quantity of lading is moved horizontally in one direction,conveying means positioned for horizontal movement in a directionlaterally of said one direction, said conveying means including areceiving station adjacent said lading moving station and a dischargestation spaced downstream from said receiving station, second means atsaid receiving station for folding the body blank into a generallyU-shaped formation partially surrounding a quantity of lading with thecenter panel forming an end wall and the side panels forming two sidewalls of the formation as the quantity of lading is moved from thelading moving station, engages the body blank and moves onto saidconveying means, third means at said receiving station for folding theflanges along each longitudinal edge of the body blank to positionsgenerally perpendicular to the associated side walls and end wall duringmovement of the lading against the body blank and onto said conveyingmeans, fourth means for folding the end flanges to a position generallyperpendicular to the associated side walls, said conveying means beingoperative to move the folded body blank and lading to said dischargestation, fifth means for positioning the cover blank in a generallyvertical plane adjacent said discharge station, sixth means at saiddischarge station for moving the folded body blank and lading laterallyoff of said conveying means and against the cover blank, seventh meansat said discharge station for folding the cover blank into a U-shapEdformation partially surrounding the lading with the margin of the coverblank positioned overlying the flanges of the folded body blank as thefolded body blank formation is moved off of said conveying means andeighth means adjacent said discharge station for securing the flanges ofthe body blank to the adjacent facing margin of the cover blank.
 2. Themachine according to claim 1 wherein said first means for positioningthe body blank include a vacuum cup assembly comprising at least twovacuum cups, means for moving said vacuum cups in a given direction toand from a position adjacent the outlet end of a magazine for bodyblanks whereby, when said vacuum cups are disposed adjacent the outletend of the magazine, vacuum can be applied to said cups for pulling abody blank from the magazine and holding the same in a vertical planeand means for moving said vacuum cup assembly with the body blank heldthereto in a direction transversely of said given direction thereby tomove the body blank to a position adjacent the outlet of the ladingmoving station.
 3. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said firstmeans for positioning the body blank include a blank gripping assemblycomprising at least two pads having inclined teeth arranged thereon, anelongate shoulder formation fixed to said assembly and spaced from saidpads and means for moving said assembly toward and away from the ladingmoving station and past the outlet of a magazine containing a supply ofbody blanks, said pads being arranged to engage a body blank at themagazine outlet adjacent one edge of the blank and said shoulderformation being arranged to engage the opposite edge of the body blankwhen said moving means is operated to move said assembly toward thelading moving station, said teeth on said pad being inclined toward thelading moving station so as to dig into one face of the body blank upmovement toward the lading moving station and to disengage and brushacross the one face of the body blank upon movement away from the ladingmoving station.
 4. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said secondmeans for folding the panels of the body blank include a pair ofgenerally upright rollers each positioned on one side of said receivingstation and operable to engage and fold over the side panels of the bodyblank as the lading engages the center panel of the body blank andpushes the body blank onto said conveying means.
 5. The machineaccording to claim 1 wherein said third means for folding the flangesalong the longitudinal edges of the body blank include two elongatehorizontally extending members positioned respectfully at the top andbottom of said receiving station, each member having a curvedbaffle-forming surface facing toward the lading moving station, and saidbaffle-forming surfaces being arranged to engage and fold over theflanges connected to the side edges of the center and side panels as thelading engages the body blank and moves the body blank onto saidconveying means.
 6. The machine according to claim 1 wherein saidconveying means include upper elongate plate means extendinghorizontally between said receiving station and said discharging stationand arranged to engage the folded flanges on the upwardly facing side ofthe folded body blank formation and to maintain the flanges foldedduring the conveying of the formation to said discharge station.
 7. Themachine according to claim 1 wherein said conveying means include anendless conveyor assembly having an upper run for supporting andtransporting the body blank formation and means for moving said conveyorassembly laterally of the direction of movement of said upper runthereby to move said receiving station toward and away from the ladingmoving station.
 8. The machine according to claim 7 including anintermediate station located adjacent said conveying means intermediatesaid receiving station and said discharge station, said fourth meansbeing located at said intermediate station and including a paIr ofspring biased vertically extending horizontally deflectible plates, eachplate being positioned to engage one of the end flanges after the foldedbody blank formation has been indexed by said conveyor assembly to saidintermediate station and said conveyor assembly is moved by said movingmeans laterally of the direction of movement of said upper run to movesaid receiving station toward the lading moving station for receivinganother body blank and lading and simultaneously to move the firstfolded body blank formation toward said deflectible plates which engageand fold over the end flanges.
 9. The machine according to claim 8wherein said conveying means include elongate plate means extendinghorizontally between said intermediate station and said dischargestation and position along one side of said conveyor assembly forengaging the folded end flanges to maintain the end flanges folded whensaid conveyor assembly is again indexed to move the folded body blankformation from said intermediate station to said discharge station. 10.The machine according to claim 1 wherein a discharge funnel ispositioned at said discharge station adjacent one side of said conveyingmeans, said sixth means being located at the opposite side of saidconveying means and being operative to push said folded body blankformation into said discharge funnel and subsequently to push a secondbody blank formation against the body blank formation in the funnelthereby to push the first body blank formation against a cover blankwhich is positioned at the outlet end of said discharge funnel.
 11. Themachine according to claim 10 including secondary end flange foldingmembers positioned at said outlet end of said discharge funnel, saidsecondary end flange folding members being movable to positions adjacentopposite sides of said funnel for engaging and refolding the end flangeswhich may have sprung outwardly due to the resiliency of the paperboardmaterial before the folded body blank formation engages the cover blank.12. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said fifth means forpositioning the cover blank include a suction cup assembly comprising atleast two suction cups, a mechanism for moving said cups in a givendirection to and from a position adjacent the outlet end of a magazinecontaining a supply of cover blanks whereby, when said cups arepositioned adjacent the outlet end of the magazine, the suction cups canbe connected to a source of vacuum for pulling a cover blank from themagazine, and means for moving the suction cup assembly in a directiontransversely of the given direction to move a cover blank to theposition adjacents said discharge station.
 13. The machine according toclaim 1 wherein said fifth means for positioning a cover blank includegripper means operable to grip a cover blank adjacent one edge thereofand pull the cover blank from a source of cover blanks to the positionadjacent the discharge station.
 14. The machine according to claim 13wherein said gripper means includes at least two grippers, each gripperincluding a pair of jaws and at least one of said jaws being pivotableto and from a blank-engaging position, said gripper means being operablewhen said blank has been moved to a position adjacent the dischargestation to cause said movable jaw to move to a nongripping positionthereby releasing the cover blank to allow the cover blank to be foldedabout the folded body blank formation as the formation is moved fromsaid discharge station against the cover blank.
 15. The machineaccording to claim 13 wherein said fifth means further include a blankedge pusher positioned adjacent one side of a magazine containing asupply of cover blanks said blank edge pusher including seating meansfor engaging a side edge of a cover blank when said blank edge pusher isoperated to move a cover blank at least part way from the magazine andto a position where said gripper means can reach and grip the coverblank adjacent the opposite side edge Of the cover blank.
 16. Themachine according to claim 1 wherein said seventh means for folding thecover blank include a pair of horizontally extending folding rollersvertically spaced apart adjacent said discharge station and beingoperative to engage the side panels of the cover blank adjacent therespective connection of each side panel to the center panel of thecover blank when and as the folded body blank formation is moved fromsaid discharge station against the cover blank.
 17. The machineaccording to claim 1 wherein said eighth means for securing the coverblank to the body blank include vertically reciprocable means forapplying adhesive to the longitudinal margin of the cover blank prior tothe movement of the cover blank to the position adjacent said dischargestation said means being operable on one stroke of movement to apply twostrips of adhesive to the cover blank, each strip being along onelongitudinal margin of the cover blank and subsequently on a reversestroke of movement to apply adhesive to a subsequent cover blank in asimilar manner.
 18. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said eighthmeans for securing the cover blank to the body blank include means forapplying adhesive to the margins of the cover blank adjacent the endedges of the cover blank as the cover blank is moved to the positionadjacent said discharge station.
 19. The machine according to claim 1wherein said eighth means include a compression chamber located adjacentthe outlet end of said discharge station, said compression chamberincluding means for applying pressure to the outer facing margin of theside panels of the cover blank to hold the same in engagement with theflanges of the body blank bearing against the inner facing margin of theside panels while an adhesive therebetween sets, and said means forapplying pressure to the side panels of the cover blank being operativeto retard movement of a package through the compression chamber so thatthe center panel of a cover blank of one package will engage and bearagainst the center panel of the body blank of a preceding package insaid compression chamber thereby to urge the inner facing margin of thecenter panel of the cover blank of the subsequent package against theend flanges of the body blank of the subsequent package and hold thesame in place while the adhesive therebetween sets.
 20. The machineaccording to claim 1 including a magazine containing a supply of bodyblanks, said magazine being supported above the lading moving stationand including means for urging the body blanks toward an outlet end ofsaid magazine located above and generally in alignment with the outletof the lading moving station and the entrance to said receiving station,each body blank having two V-shaped notches in each longitudinal sideedge thereof, each notch separating the flange connected to a side panelfrom the flange connected to the center panel and said magazineincluding two elongate supporting members each having an invertedV-cross section whereby each support member receives therein one of theV-shaped notches on one side of each body blank and together saidsupport members serve as a guide means for maintaining the body blanksin proper alignment as they are urged toward the outlet end of saidmagazine.
 21. The machine according to claim 19 including a magazinecontaining a supply of cover blanks, said magazine being elongate andbeing disposed parallel to and alongside of said compression chamber,and said magazine including means for urging the cover blanks toward anoutlet end of said magazine, said outlet end of said magazine beingaligned with the outlet of said discharge station and the inlet to saidcompression chamber.
 22. A machine for forming a sealed packagecontaiing lading from a generally rectangular body blank of paperboardmaterial and a generally rectangular cover blank of paperboard materialin combination with a semiautomatic case packer, the body blankincluding a centEr panel, alternate, hingedly connected side panels andflanges hingedly connected along the longitudinal edges of the centerand side panels and along the ends of the side panels, and the coverblank including a center panel and alternate hingedly connected sidepanels, said case packer including an infeed conveyor, a lading ejectingstation adjacent to and above said conveyor, a discharge funnel at saidstation and means for grouping lading on the conveyor, for raising thelading and for ejecting the lading through said discharge funnel, andsaid machine including means for positioning the body blank in agenerally vertical plane adjacent the outlet of said discharge funnelfrom which a quantity of lading is ejected horizontally in one diection,conveying means positioned for horizontal movement in a directionlaterally of said one direction, said conveying means including areceiving station adjacent said lading ejecting station and a dischargestation spaced downstream from said receiving station, means at saidreceiving station for folding the body blank into a generally U-shapedformation partially surrounding a quantity of lading with the centerpanel forming an end wall and the side panels forming two side walls ofthe formation as the quantity of lading is ejected from the ladingejecting station, engages the body blank and moves onto said conveyingmeans, means at said receiving station for folding the flanges alongeach longitudinal edge of the body blank to positions generallyperpendicular to the associated side walls and end wall during movementof the lading against the body blank and onto said conveying means,means for folding the end flanges to a position generally perpendicularto the associated side walls, said conveying means being operative tomove the folded body blank and lading to said discharge station, meansfor positioning the cover blank in a generally vertical plane adjacentsaid discharge station, means at said discharge station for moving thefolded body blank and lading laterally off of said conveying means andagainst the cover blank, means at said discharge station for folding thecover blank into a U-shaped formation partially surrounding the ladingwith the margin of the cover blank positioned overlying the flanges ofthe folded body blank as the folded body blank formation is moved off ofsaid conveying means and means adjacent said discharge station forsecuring the flanges of the body blank to the adjacent facing margin ofthe cover blank.
 23. A method for forming a sealed package containinglading from a generally rectangular body blank of paperboard materialand a generally rectangular cover blank of paperboard material, the bodyblank including a center panel, alternate, hingedly connected sidepanels and flanges hingedly connected along the longitudinal edges ofthe center and side panels and along the ends of the side panels, andthe cover blank including a center panel and alternate hingedlyconnected side panels, said method including the steps of positioningthe body blank in a generally vertical plane adjacent the outlet of alading moving station; moving a quantity of lading horizontally in onedirection and against the body blank; folding the body blank into agenerally U-shaped formation partially surrounding the lading with thepanels lying in generally vertical planes and with the center panelforming an end wall and the side panels forming two side walls of theformation as the lading is moved from the lading moving station; foldingthe flanges along each longitudinal edge of the body blank to positionsgenerally perpendicular to the associated side walls and end wall duringmovement of the lading against the body blank; folding the end flangesto positions generally perpendicular to the associated side walls;moving the folded body blank and lading in direction laterally of saidone direction to a discharge station, positioning the cover blank in agenerally vertical plane adjacent the discharge station, moving thefoLded body blank and lading in a third direction laterally of saidsecond direction and against the cover blank; folding the cover blankinto a U-shaped formation partially surrounding the lading with themargin of the cover blank positioned overlying the flanges of the foldedbody blank as the folded body blank formation is moved against saidcover blank and securing the flanges of the body blank to the adjacentfacing margin of the cover blank.